LED lights approved for second year

Updated 2:20 am, Friday, September 21, 2012

San Antonio River Walk lights 2011. Rio San Antonio barge tour.

Media: Express News

The City Council has approved a $109,000 contract with S.A.-based Preferred Landscape & Lighting to install and remove 150,000 C-7 LED lights on up to 200 trees along the River Walk for the upcoming holiday season.

To much public criticism last year, LED mini-bulbs made their River Walk debut when they were wrapped around tree trunks to replace the lights that once cascaded from the river's tree canopy.

To appease those with a fondness for the hanging lights, the city decided to move away from the minis for the larger C-7 LED bulbs, which are ideal for draping.

In May, the Council approved the $92,596 purchase.

The city plans to remove the mini-bulbs, at the cost of $48,000, and install them in downtown parks (Travis, Milam, and others) and city-owned facilities (City Hall, La Villita, Market Square, among others), at an additional cost of $49,000.

Before the mini-bulbs were introduced last season, the cost of hanging and removing the lights — which then were incadescents, not LEDs — was about $50,000 annually.

Photo: LISA KRANTZ, San Antonio Express-News

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Seniors chant "Diego" in support of City Councilman Diego Bernal, center, as he talks with them concerning the city ordinance he had drafted to regulate predatory lenders during the lunch break of the San Antonio City Council Meeting where the item is being discussed on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012.

Seniors chant "Diego" in support of City Councilman Diego Bernal, center, as he talks with them concerning the city ordinance he had drafted to regulate predatory lenders during the lunch break of the San

A witness speaks to the San Antonio City Council concerning a city ordinance that is proposed to regulate predatory lending during the San Antonio City Council on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012.

A witness speaks to the San Antonio City Council concerning a city ordinance that is proposed to regulate predatory lending during the San Antonio City Council on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012.

Photo: LISA KRANTZ, San Antonio Express-News

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Carlos Gonzalez, right, with Westend Edgewood Senior Team, fires up a group of seniors including Helen Dawson, from left, Lucille Scott and T.C. Calvert in support of the city ordinance to regulate predatory lenders during the lunch break of the San Antonio City Council meeting where the item is being discussed on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012.

Carlos Gonzalez, right, with Westend Edgewood Senior Team, fires up a group of seniors including Helen Dawson, from left, Lucille Scott and T.C. Calvert in support of the city ordinance to regulate predatory

City Council members David Medina, left, and Rey Saldana, right, watch as Deacon Pat Rogers, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, speaks on behalf of the Archdiocese in support of the city ordinance concerning regulations for predatory lenders during the San Antonio City Council meeting on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012.

City Council members David Medina, left, and Rey Saldana, right, watch as Deacon Pat Rogers, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, speaks on behalf of the Archdiocese in support of the

Applause erupts from the crowd filling City Council chambers as speakers advocate for their sides in the discussion concerning the city ordinance to regulate predatory lending during the San Antonio City Council on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012.

Applause erupts from the crowd filling City Council chambers as speakers advocate for their sides in the discussion concerning the city ordinance to regulate predatory lending during the San Antonio City

Mayor Julián Castro and city manager Sheryl Sculley ride a barge and take a peek at the new LED holiday lights on the River Walk on November 17, 2011.

Mayor Julián Castro and city manager Sheryl Sculley ride a barge and take a peek at the new LED holiday lights on the River Walk on November 17, 2011.

Photo: TOM REEL, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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The Ford Motor Company float makes its way along the RiverWalk during the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the RiverWalk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net

The Ford Motor Company float makes its way along the RiverWalk during the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the RiverWalk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net

Photo: KIN MAN HUI, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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The LED holiday lights reflect off the waters of the San Antonio River along the RiverWalk during a pause in the passing of holiday floats at the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the RiverWalk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

The LED holiday lights reflect off the waters of the San Antonio River along the RiverWalk during a pause in the passing of holiday floats at the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the RiverWalk

Participants and spectators wave to one another during the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the River Walk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

Participants and spectators wave to one another during the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the River Walk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

Photo: KIN MAN HUI, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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King Antonio William Mitchell (right) tosses fans to the Grand Marshal Patricia Jimenez's float during the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the River Walk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

King Antonio William Mitchell (right) tosses fans to the Grand Marshal Patricia Jimenez's float during the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the River Walk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

Photo: KIN MAN HUI, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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The Rio San Antonio Cruises float makes its way under the Market Street bridge during the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the River Walk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011. The float was one of 26 floats that participated in the holiday celebration.

The Rio San Antonio Cruises float makes its way under the Market Street bridge during the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the River Walk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011. The float was one of 26

The LED holiday lights reflect off the waters of the San Antonio River along the River Walk during a pause in the passing of holiday floats at the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the RiverWalk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

The LED holiday lights reflect off the waters of the San Antonio River along the River Walk during a pause in the passing of holiday floats at the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony at the

Santa waves to spectators during the Ford Holiday River Parade & Lighting Ceremony on the River Walk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011. About 100,000 people attended the parade.

Santa waves to spectators during the Ford Holiday River Parade & Lighting Ceremony on the River Walk on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011. About 100,000 people attended the parade.

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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A float called "Las Nuevas Tamaleras," by the San Antonio Street Dance & Drum Company, passes the colorful new LED lights adorning River Walk trees during the Ford Holiday River Parade on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

A float called "Las Nuevas Tamaleras," by the San Antonio Street Dance & Drum Company, passes the colorful new LED lights adorning River Walk trees during the Ford Holiday River Parade on Friday, Nov. 25,

San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the River Walk Christmas lights Wednesday to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took place on the River Walk trees at Marriage Island near the Navarro Street bridge.

San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the River Walk Christmas lights Wednesday to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took place on

San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the Riverwalk Christmas lights Wednesday evening to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took place on the Riverwalk tree's at Marriage Island near the Navaro St. bridge. less

San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the Riverwalk Christmas lights Wednesday evening to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took ... more

Photo: Robin Jerstad, SPECIAL TO THE EXPRESS-NEWS

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San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the River Walk Christmas lights Wednesday to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took place on the River Walk trees at Marriage Island near the Navarro Street bridge.

San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the River Walk Christmas lights Wednesday to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took place on

San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the River Walk Christmas lights Wednesday to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took place on the River Walk trees at Marriage Island near the Navarro Street bridge.

San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the River Walk Christmas lights Wednesday to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took place on

San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the River Walk Christmas lights Wednesday to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took place on the River Walk trees at Marriage Island near the Navarro Street bridge.

San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the River Walk Christmas lights Wednesday to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took place on

San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the River Walk Christmas lights Wednesday to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took place on the River Walk trees at Marriage Island near the Navarro Street bridge.

San Antonio officials conducted a lighting test of the River Walk Christmas lights Wednesday to determine whether to use either LED lights or incandescent lights on the annual display. The test took place on

A squirrel hides in the trunk of a tree decorated with Christmas lights on the River Walk. Officials say the rodents are chewing on the wiring.

A squirrel hides in the trunk of a tree decorated with Christmas lights on the River Walk. Officials say the rodents are chewing on the wiring.

Photo: JOHN TEDESCO, Jtedesco@express-news.net

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A squirrel hides in the trunk of a tree decorated with Christmas lights on the River Walk. Officials say the rodents are chewing on the wiring.

A squirrel hides in the trunk of a tree decorated with Christmas lights on the River Walk. Officials say the rodents are chewing on the wiring.

Photo: JOHN TEDESCO, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Mayor Julián Castro and City Manager Sheryl Sculley ride a barge and take a peek at the new LED holiday lights on the River Walk on November 17, 2011.

Mayor Julián Castro and City Manager Sheryl Sculley ride a barge and take a peek at the new LED holiday lights on the River Walk on November 17, 2011.

Photo: TOM REEL, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Christmas lights on the River Walk. Even the LED ones.

Christmas lights on the River Walk. Even the LED ones.

Photo: TOM REEL, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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LED lights approved for second year

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Jim Mery, director of downtown operations, said the city is spending twice on the job this year because more River Walk trees are going to be decorated and the number of lights per tree is increasing by 30 percent.

The city also is spending $95,156 to permanently install LED lights on 22 downtown bridges.

LED lights on the River Walk have been funded mostly by the hotel occupancy tax.